In a disturbing incident at Ranthambore National Park’s Phalodi Range, a tiger attacked two people on Friday after a crowd gathered dangerously close to the animal near Kailashpuri pond anicut to take selfies. The victims include an official from the Agriculture Department and a Home Guard jawan.
According to authorities, Senior Agriculture Supervisor Sitaram Saini, a resident of Sawai Madhopur, had just finished inspecting a farm fence in Dumoda village when he stopped to observe the tiger along with others at the site. As the big cat drank water at the pond, it suddenly charged at Saini, injuring his leg.
Home Guard jawan Babulal, who attempted to rescue Saini, was also attacked. The tiger struck Babulal’s face with its paw, leaving him injured.
Both individuals were immediately transported to the district hospital after Forest Department officials arrived at the scene.
The area around Kailashpuri Anicut has seen regular tiger movement in recent months. Despite repeated sightings and growing crowds of locals and tourists taking selfies at unsafe distances, no effective preventive measures were implemented by forest authorities.
Eyewitnesses reported that even on the morning of the attack, a man was seen posing for selfies close to the tiger.
Phalodi ACF Yogesh Kumar said the identity of the tiger involved is still being investigated, though tigresses T-8 and T-108 are known to frequent the region. He added that human interference may have provoked the animal.
Forest officials have reiterated warnings urging people to strictly follow wildlife safety protocols and avoid any close encounters with tigers.
This incident adds to a growing list of tiger-related attacks in the area. Just days earlier, a 60-year-old priest was killed inside the historic Ranthambore Fort, identified as Radheshyam Saini, who had served at the Jain temple for over 20 years.
On May 12, a forest ranger lost his life after a tiger attacked him near Jogi Mahal in Zone 3. The tiger pounced, fatally injuring him and sitting over the body for nearly 20 minutes after the assault.
Earlier, on April 21, a 7-year-old boy was mauled by tigress Kanakati near the Trinetra Ganesh temple while walking with his grandmother.
The recent string of incidents has raised urgent concerns about visitor safety, crowd control, and the effectiveness of wildlife management within the park.
–Input IANS
